United agents - please learn the phonetic alphabet!
Oct 1, 2021, 12:12 pm
#31
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,459
IME 1K agents never have trouble understanding the NATO phonetic alphabet when I read it out to them, but only about a third of them use it when reading PNRs back to me (such as when making a new booking over the phone). I find the same applies to AA EXP agents as well.
Oct 1, 2021, 12:41 pm
#33
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Austin, TX
Programs: CoUniHound 1K 1MM, AA EXP 2MM, DL Plat, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,625
Never in the military but I'm in the IT field so I've used the phonetic alphabet for years. I always use it when giving my PNRs and never had an issue. At work I occasionally throw in an "M as in Mancy" just for yucks, though.
Oct 1, 2021, 1:17 pm
#34
Join Date: Feb 2016
Programs: Hyatt Globalist | Jumpseat Platinum
Posts: 546
Obviously not phone agents, but I seem to remember the NATO alphabet being one of the (many) handouts at FA Initial Training... not that many FAs took the time to learn it, as it's largely unnecessary in the cabin. I'd be amazed if they did not do something similar for phone agents.
I once had to call the FAA Airmen's Cert division about something, and that phone rep did not know it, which I found mildly amusing.
I once had to call the FAA Airmen's Cert division about something, and that phone rep did not know it, which I found mildly amusing.
Oct 1, 2021, 1:18 pm
#35
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Springfield,MO,USA
Programs: UA 1K MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 1,604
I used to listen to a police scanner when I lived in LA and "grew up" with Adam, Boy, Charles, etc. When going phonetic with United or other airlines, I have to stop and think for the other version.
Oct 1, 2021, 1:48 pm
#37
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Honolulu
Programs: UA
Posts: 159
Oct 1, 2021, 2:10 pm
#38
Join Date: May 2011
Programs: MP - 1K, Hyatt - Platt, SPG - Gold
Posts: 336
This is going to sound sad... but I learned the NATO alphabet so that I can better communicate with UA customer service. Given how much I travel and how much I have called them, ive become very good at it.
Oct 1, 2021, 2:47 pm
#39
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ORD
Programs: United Plat 2MM, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,727
Oct 1, 2021, 6:11 pm
#41
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Location: GVA (Greater Vancouver Area)
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Oct 1, 2021, 7:57 pm
#42
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: BOS/SIN
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Oct 2, 2021, 2:44 am
#43
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Montreux CH
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I use the phonetic alphabet all the time and I'm not military. It really helps avoid confusion with letters. Only problem is, German speaking phone agents seem to have their own alphabet, such as M for Martha etc. Is there really a German phonetic alphabet?
Oct 2, 2021, 3:45 am
#44
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: LAX and LHR. UA lifetime Gold 1.9MM 1K , DL Gold Medallion, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club
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